Garment holding and inspecting device



March 6, 1962 s. SCHWARTZ GARMENT HOLDING AND INSPECTING DEVICE} Filed April 15, 1960 57 Jame? 5 2 2254252 3,023,940 GARMENT HULDING AND INSPECTWG DEVICE Samuel Schwartz, 8428 Fayette St, Philadelphia, Pa. Filed Apr. 15, 196i), Ser. No. 22,453 3 Claims. (Ci. 223-39) This invention relates to a garment holding and inspection device. More particularly, it relates to an adjustable, rotatable, generally torso-shaped framework, containing an internal light source, upon which a garment may be mounted for inspection and for the performance of certain finishing and pre-packaging operations.

For many years, manufacturers of semi-translucent garments, particularly manufacturers of knitted garments such as, for instance, sweaters, blouses, jackets, cardigans, and the like, have been plagued by the problem of rejects. These rejects are imperfect garments and the imperfections may include knitting errors (e.g. dropped stitches), open seams, flaws in binding and many other patent defects which are observable with the naked eye but which, in practice, are often missed even by experienced, highly skilled and highly paid inspectors. Most of the defects are minor ones, which, if detected, can be easily repaired or reworked to bring the garment up to quality control standards.

However, an undetected defect, whether major or minor, causes irreparable tangible and intangible losses to the manufacturer. Extra clerical costs, handling costs and shipping charges incurred by the manufacturer in accepting the return of a garment consume what was to have been part of his profit. The financial problem is aggravated because the garment is often returned dirty or shopworn and may even be returned after the seasonal sale period is over. Such garments have little or no salvage value. Above and beyond loss of profit, such returns create ill will with both retailers and ultimate consumers thus damaging the manufacturers reputation for producing garments of a high quality. It has been found that defects are discovered by the ultimate consumer more often than by the retailer and the damage to the manufacturers reputation is thus compounded.

In the past, inspections have been performed merely by spreading the garment on a table and examining it. However, when such a method is used the inspector is always looking at a dark layer of fabric and often at a plurality of layers under conditions where one layer tends to obscure defects in another layer. To inspect diiferent portions of the garment requires a series of time consuming manipulations, often including turning the garment inside out.

Finally, after or during inspection, other operations are performed. These include buttoning, shaving the garment to remove fuzz and/ or pills, and trimming of loose threads. These operations also involve possibilities for error as they are now performed due, once again, to difiiculty of observation against a background of a plurality of layers of fabric.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a garment inspection device which will permit even an inexperienced operator to quickly and easily detect flaws in garments.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device which is readily adjustable without tools for garments of different types and different sizes.

A further object of the invention is to provide an inspection device which can also be used as a Work holder during garment finishing operations such as for example, buttoning, trimming and shaving.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of the aforementioned character, the overall height of which is readily and easily adjustable to suit operators of different heights.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of an inspecting device having an internal light source which is vertically adjustable with respect to the garment mounted thereon.

Also included as an object of the invention is the provision of a device which is easily and quickly rotatable to permit examination of all sides of a garment mounted thereon.

Another object of the invention is to provide an inspection device, having an internal light source, which is designed to prevent build up of heat from said light source such as would scorch a garment mounted on said device or injure the operator.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a garment holding device which can be easily utilized to turn garments inside out.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a garment holding and inspection device which may be operated in either a horizontal or vertical position.

Other objects of this invention are to provide an improved device of the character described which is sturdy in construction, economical to produce and highly ethcient in operation.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 represents a perspective view of an assembled garment holding an inspection device embodying my invention. A

FIG. 2 represents a sectional view taken along lines 2-2 of FIGURE 1.

FIG. 3 represents a top plan view of the garment holding and inspection device of FIGURE 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along lines 44 of FIGURE 1.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the lower portion of the garment holding and inspection device shown in FIGURE 1.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals designate like parts, it will be seen that the garment holding and inspection device shown in FIGURE 1 comprises a vertically adjustable support assembly A, a torso-shaped framework B and an illuminating assembly C mounted within the framework B.

The support assembly A includes a base plate 1i) having a plurality of mounting holes 11 by means of which the base plate may be affixed to a horizontal, inclined, or vertical surface if desired. As the device is most frequently used (i.e. as shown in FIG. 1) it is not necessary to employ the holes 11. To the base plate 10 is affixed a hollow vertical post 12 which includes a wire slot 13 and which has mounted on it a socket 14 having a shoulder 15. As best seen in FIG. 5, there is telescopically mounted on post 12 a hollow column 16, to the lower end of which is secured collar 17 which includes a lower shoulder 18 and a drilled and tapped hole 19 adapted to receive set screw 20. Shoulders 18 and 15 serve as low limit stops and determine the collapsed height of assembly A.

Column 16 has aflixed to its upper end illuminating assembly support flange 21. Intermediate the collar 17 and the flange 21, is adjustably positionable bearing holder 22 which includes a cylindrical upper bearing 23 and a cylindrical lower bearing 24. These two bearings are pressed into the bearing holder 22 and are preferably made of a self-lubricating metal such as bronze or graphite-containing cast iron. As shown in FIGURE 5, they are pref,

erably assembled in abutting relationship. Bearing holder 22 is further provided with a drilled and tapped hole 25 which extends into and through bearing 24. This hole Patented Mar. 6, 1962 is adapted to receive set screw 26 which, when tightened, contacts column 16 and prevents motion of bearing holder 22 with respect thereto. Set screw 26 is used for vertically fixing the position of illuminating assembly C with respect to the torso-shaped framework B as will be explained subsequently. Bearing holder 21?. includes another drilled and tapped hole 27 which extends into and through upper bearing 23 and is adapted. to receive set screw 28.

Upon support assembly A is mounted torso-shaped framework B. This framework includes a base 29 con taining a plurality of width adjusting slots 36 and to its underside is welded or otherwise centrally afiixed mounting sleeve 31. Sleeve 31 may, if desired, be provided with a circumferential notch 32 on its outer surface as best shown in FIGURE 5. On the ends of base 29 are mounted vertical side pieces 33 and 34 which, as shown in FTGS. 1 and 2, have a configuration generally resembling an in verted U in shape. Attached to side piece 33 are a plurality of cross members 35 which telescopically engage a plurality of cross members 36 similarly attached to side piece 34. The legs of each side piece are provided with collars 37, which abut the upper side of base 29', and the portion of the leg which extends through the slot 3'0 is threaded, as at 38, to receive wing nut 39. The framework B may be adjusted for width by loosening nuts 39 and expanding telescoped cross members 35 and 36. All framework members should be smooth and rounded so as not to snag or damage the garments.

The mounting sleeve 31 fits within upper bearing 23, resting on the shoulder of bearing 24 and. thus the entire framework is free to rotate about the longitudinal axis of support assembly A. If the support assembly is mounted in other than a vertical position and, consequently, it is desired to mechanically secure framework B to support assembly A, it is only necessary to tighten set screw 28 so that it extends into circumferential notch 32 preventing vertical displacement of sleeve 31 with respect to upper bearing 23 but in no way interfering with the freedom of rotation of framework B.

One of the cross members 35 is provided with a collar holder 43 having a modified T shape and including sloped sides 41 and integral bushing 42 (as best seen in FIG. 4). The bushing is provided with a drilled and tapped hole 43 adapted to receive wing-headed set screw 44. The collar holder 46 is laterally positionable along the cross member 35 and may also be rotated about it (as indicated by the phantom outlines on FIG. 2).

Finally, the side pieces 33 and 34- may be provided with downwardly and outwardly directed inverting ears or detents 45 which may be formed of wire or tubing and which may be permanently or removably attached to the side pieces.

Mounted on flange 21 and located within framework B is illuminating assembly C. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, this assembly includes a plurality of bulbs 46 mounted in electric light sockets 47. The upper sockets are mounted on cross pieces 49 which are, in turn, connected to support bracket 48. The support bracket 48 as well as the lowest socket are mounted on flange 21. The lights are preferably wired in parallel and power is supplied through electrical conductor Sit which is wired through column 16 and post 12, emerging through wire slot 13 and terminating in plug 51. The bulbs may be of any conventional type, however it is preferred to use light blue incandescent bulbs of the daylight type such as are sold under the trademark Colorama. Typical installations use three such bulbs in the 100 watt size. Alternatively, a fluorescent light source may be used with appropriate modifications in illuminating assembly C. Although not illustrated, a switch may be provided mounted in some convenient location such as, for instance, on the flange 2.1.

The device is extremely simple to operate, In the description which follows vertical operation is assumed but it is apparent that the utility of the garment examining and holding device is not limited to such orientation. First the overall height is adjusted to suit the operator. This is done by loosening set screw 20 and telescopically raising column 16 on post 12. The height from base plate it) to the uppermost light is fixed by tightening the set screw. Thereafter, illuminating assembly C is positioned within framework B by loosening set screw 26 which permits vertical positioning of base 29 with respect to illuminating assembly support flange 2 1. Preferably,v the top light should be approximately of the way down the framework from the top thereof. If desired, set screw 28 may be tightened to mechanically secure the framework 3 to the support assembly A.

The width of the framework B is now adjusted to suit the size of the garment being examined. It is preferred to have the width setting such that the garment will always be under slight tension and free of sags. Width adjustments are made by loosening nuts 39 and moving vertical side pieces 33 and 34 apart or together. Collar holder 40 is now centered laterally on cross member 35 and its angle adjusted to tension the neck portion of the garment. After adjustment, set screw 44 is tightened.

A garment is now placed upon the frame. Pull over garments are pulled down over it, garments which have buttons may be mounted and buttoned in situ. When energized the lights clearly reveal flaws in workmanship and the framework B may be rotated until all aspects of the garment have been examined. By raising the sleeves they too may be examined and provisions for mechanically elevating the sleeves (e. g. upwardly pointing arms on the framework) as well as the provision of a longitudinally hingedly bifurcated framework are intended to be within the scope of this invention. While the garment is tensioned on the framework, buttoning, shaving and trimming may be performed. Due to the open nature of the torso shaped framework there is excellent ventilation and the heat of the lights is rapidly dissipated and the frame components remain cool.

If the garment is removed by grasping its bottom and pulling it upward, downwardly projecting inverting ears or detents 45 act as a retainer in the vicinity of the upper torso. Their action results in the garments being turned inside out as it is removed since the retaining tendency of the detents is not sufiicient to prevent or impede garment removal. After having been removed from the framework inside out the garment frequently is placed on the framework again for additional examination or processing.

Although my invention has been described in considerable detail, such description is intended to be illustrative rather than limiting since the invention may be variously embodied and, therefore, the scope of the invention is to be determined only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A garment holding and inspection device comprising a vertically adjustable support assembly including a base, a hollow vertical post secured to said base, a hollow column telescopically mounted on said post and means for releasably securing said column with respect to said post; a torso-shaped framework vertically seourable but rotatably mounted on said column including a generally rectangular base plate, inverted generally U-shaped vertical side pieces mounted on each side of said base plate and laterally adjustable with respect thereto, a plurality of horizontal telescoping cross members interconnecting said vertical side pieces and a collar piece, having a shape generally resembling a T, mounted on one of said cross members, longitudinally positionable therealong and rotatably positionable thereabout; and an illuminating assembly mounted on said support assembly within said torso-shaped framework and independently vertically positionable with respect to said framework including a plurality of light sources and a power cord adapted to connect said light sources to a power supply via the interior of said post and said column.

2. The garment holding and inspection device of claim 1 wherein said framework further includes smooth outwardly and downwardly projecting ears on the upper portions of said side pieces adapted to turn a garment inside out as it is pulled ofi said framework in an upward direction.

3. A garment holding and inspecting device comprising a vertically adjustable telescoping support assembly; low limit stops on said assembly fixing its minimum vertical height; an electrical conduit within said assembly extending to the top thereof; a slotted plate mounted on said assembly fixed vertically with respect thereto but nonetheless free to rotate thereon; an expandable generally torso-shaped tubular framework mounted on said plate said framework including generally U-shaped inverted side pieces the legs of which slidingly engage the slots of said plate, a plurality of telescoping cross-pieces connecting said side pieces; smooth downwardly projecting tubular ears extending from said framework adapted to turn a garment inside out as it is pulled ofi said framework; a light source located within said torso-shaped framework independently mounted on said support assembly and operatively connected to said electrical conduit, said light source being vertically positionable with respect to said framework; and an angularly and transversely adjustable collar holder mounted on said frameworks cross-pieces. 

